'O' Gauge Model of Heaton Lodge Junction

[simonspider]

This is a view obviously of the real location taken from Woodend Bridge in the mid 1960's. The fence on the right and road behind it out of view is the road you can see in the previous pics of the model.
Also in the background is the now demolished bridge of the Leeds New line - an alternative route to Leeds. In 1965 this route was closed, the bridge removed and in 1970 the track re-aligned to form a new junction which forms part of the model

[Stedman]

This is going to be very, very good.

[simonspider]

Finally for this week.
This is a pic further up Heaton Lodge which shows one of the junctions and a double crossover. On the model this is on boards 12-16 so looking at a 3 months or so to get up here.
Photo shows class 56 'Kellingley Colliery' with an MGR. This loco is one of the examples that will be modelled complete with lights, sound and a fan assisted smoke unit to mimic the exhaust plumes

[4321go]

Good Lord!

TIA

[twister]

simonspider said:

This is a view obviously of the real location...

Considering just how lifelike this model is, I don't think there's any obviously about it... Utterly superb work, every update on this thread is eagerly awaited.

[Jimmyshuffle85]

Hope you don't mind the gate crash, I've just recently acquired 2 of the original 4 cottages at Heaton lodge and stumbled upon this post researching the house.

Needless to say I'll be watching with interest and it looks brilliant.

[KateV8]

Just 'wow'. My teenage memories of the BR blue era will come to life if I'm lucky enough to see this in the flesh. I'm now a Pendolino driver and my 'layout' is the WCML, I can tell you the atmosphere of a four track mainline that you have captured here is just stunning. Despite the difference in eras I look at the photos and think I'm at work!

[simonspider]

Jimmyshuffle85 said:

Hope you don't mind the gate crash, I've just recently acquired 2 of the original 4 cottages at Heaton lodge and stumbled upon this post researching the house.

Needless to say I'll be watching with interest and it looks brilliant.

Thanks for that would you mind if I came across at a time to suit you to take some close up snaps of your cottages?
I've been over a couple of times but feel a bit uncomfortable measuring someone's house when they aren't in!
I've a model maker constructing your cottages as we speak. Small world..
Thanks

Simon

[Jimmyshuffle85]

No problem at all Simon, didn't know if the cottages would make it into the final design so more than happy to help knowing they will be!

Weekends would be best and while the house is going through a renovation I'll be there 9-5 every weekend (sometimes having longer breaks sat in the garden spotting!) , my email is {email removed} if you want to correspond directly

Thanks,

Jim

I've removed your email from this post - I assume Simon has seen it already and it's best not to leave them lying around on the public internet for the spam-bots to find - Will

Edited by Mr Will on Thursday 31st March 14:51

[Stedman]

KateV8 said:

Just 'wow'. My teenage memories of the BR blue era will come to life if I'm lucky enough to see this in the flesh. I'm now a Pendolino driver and my 'layout' is the WCML, I can tell you the atmosphere of a four track mainline that you have captured here is just stunning. Despite the difference in eras I look at the photos and think I'm at work!

Mind if I PM you? I'm trying to get into VTWC at Euston...

Cheers!

[KateV8]

Of course. Not sure what I can achieve as drivers hold little sway with recruitment but if I can help I will.
Cheers!

[simonspider]

Couple more pictures here of Woodend Bridge (as I've said before) on the far East of the model, now almost finished.
Since I've been away some scallywag has been tipping rubbish down the embankments. Very poor show..

[simonspider]

[simonspider]

[RacingPete]

Not sure if you mentioned earlier but couldn't see it - but what product are you using for the static grass as like the different blends of colours in the banking? - something I need to redo on my layout...

[simonspider]

A reminder of the real Woodend Bridge taken recently. 3 tracks now - 4 up to the late 1980's. Next update after Easter

[simonspider]

RacingPete said:

Not sure if you mentioned earlier but couldn't see it - but what product are you using for the static grass as like the different blends of colours in the banking? - something I need to redo on my layout...

Good question. I spent a year perfecting the tones of the static grass. The one thing I've learnt is to appear real the real tones have to be 'dumbed down' on a model. While grass may look green on the real thing lifting exactly that colour will look toylike on a model.
But to answer your question the static grass on Heaton Lodge is 60% Mini-Natur late fall (6.5mm) mixed with 40% Noch Beige 'Wildegrass' in 10/12mm.
However the most important thing is sprinkling on sieved very fine real soil/earth or better still some 'earth powder' sold by Treemendus (google it). It beds in the grass and gives that authentic matt look.
Cheers

[bomma220]

simonspider, I did reply to a thread a while back - wonder if this is of any help mate?

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Stedman]

simonspider said:

A reminder of the real Woodend Bridge taken recently. 3 tracks now - 4 up to the late 1980's. Next update after Easter

In BR days that signal would be behind the bridge

[simonspider]

Short update. Last week or so I've been finishing the 8ft long Woodend Road which obviously leads up to the bridge of the same name. Spent a while getting the detail more or less spot on - roads often escape much attention in railway models I reckon..